Should I lie down if my blood pressure is high?

One of the main factors contributing to heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure, generally referred to as hypertension. Getting your blood pressure measured regularly is crucial to determining whether you have hypertension because the disorder frequently has no symptoms.

But did you know that depending on where you are, your blood pressure might change? Whether you’re seated or lying down, your blood pressure measurements may change.

We’ll look at what is known about how your position may affect your blood pressure in this article, along with what you can do to keep it under control.

Blood Pressure

The pressure that your heart applies to the artery walls (Blood vessels known as arteries are used to transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body’s organs and tissues) as it pumps blood is referred to as blood pressure. Two figures in millimeters of mercury are used to measure blood pressure (mm Hg).

Systolic

This is the initial reading of your blood pressure. When your heart beats, pressure is put on your arteries. It shows how much pressure your heart is applying to the artery walls as it pumps blood. It is the higher of the two values, and an increase over the expected level should raise concerns.

Diastolic

The second figure in your blood pressure reading is this. In between heartbeats, it gauges the pressure in your arteries. it is a measurement of the force your blood is applying to the walls of your arteries when your heart is at rest in between beats.

Normal blood pressure

For an adult, a normal blood pressure value is 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension can be detected by an increase in either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Depending on whether the measurement is higher, there are many blood pressure classifications.

Elevated blood pressure

When your diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg and your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 129 mmHg, you have elevated blood pressure. Unless quick action is taken to control and lower their blood pressure, those with increased blood pressure are headed toward high blood pressure.

Stage 1 hypertension

Prehypertension, commonly referred to as stage 1 hypertension, is when the systolic blood pressure is between 130 and 139 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 mmHg. If you have stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may advise lifestyle modifications to help control your condition before it worsens.

Stage 2 hypertension

When your blood pressure continuously ranges between 140/90 mmHg and above, you have this kind of hypertension. To assist you in lowering this type of blood pressure, your doctor may advise blood pressure medication in addition to lifestyle modifications. Additionally, it’s critical to continue monitoring the pressure frequently because future increases may result in organ damage or cardiac failure.

High blood pressure crisis / Hypertensive crisis

This is the most severe form of hypertension, and it is defined as a reading of 180/120 mmHg or higher. This ailment has to be treated by a doctor.

You should call an ambulance right away if your blood pressure rises to 180/120 mmHg and you start to experience symptoms including shortness of breath, numbness, headache, chest pains, change in vision, and weakness as this could be an indication of organ damage.

Your chance of developing significant problems including heart attack, stroke, and chronic renal disease is increased by high blood pressure. For this reason, it’s crucial to take action to maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

What symptoms and indicators are associated with high blood pressure?

Most often, high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning indications, and many people are unaware they have it. The only method to determine whether you have high blood pressure is to measure it.

Why does blood pressure rise?

Usually, high blood pressure comes on gradually. Unhealthy lifestyle decisions, such as not engaging in adequate regular physical activity, can contribute to it. Obesity and certain medical problems like diabetes might raise one’s risk of developing high blood pressure. Pregnancy can also cause high blood pressure.

What issues does hypertension bring about?

Hypertension can lead to the damage of important organs, including your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

How can I tell if my blood pressure is high?

Only a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider can determine if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can be quickly and painlessly measured.

SMBP monitoring, also known as self-measured blood pressure (SMP) monitoring, is something you should discuss with your medical team.

Because high blood pressure typically has no warning signs or symptoms and many individuals are unaware, they have it, it is referred to as the “silent killer.”

Should I lie down if my blood pressure is high?

Your body’s position affects how your blood pressure is measured. Since the heart is above the legs and the organs are located in the abdominopelvic cavity when one is standing, blood pressure is higher.

As a result, the heart must pump blood more vigorously in order to overcome gravity and urge the blood to return to the heart. However, because the heart is level with the rest of the body when lying down, it pumps blood with less effort.

In a 2017 study, the impact of body position on blood pressure was examined in 967 men and 812 women. Only the first reading showed that sitting caused diastolic readings to be higher in both sexes. Repeated blood pressure measurements failed to detect the same difference between lying down and sitting.

In a 2018 study, 1,298 men’s blood pressure data were examined. It was discovered that seated positions considerably increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements compared to lying down.

It is therefore recommended that you lie down and get some rest if you find that your blood pressure is very high.

Which sleeping position should someone with high blood pressure use?

There is much discussion over the ideal sleeping position for those with high blood pressure, and two positions are discovered to be the most effective. Sleeping on your left side is the first.

It is asserted that sleeping on your left side lowers blood pressure by relieving pressure on the right side’s blood arteries, which deliver blood to the heart. Sleeping face down is the second approach. Sleeping face down can help lower blood pressure by at least 15 points, according to a study.

Summary

Your body’s position can affect the readout of your blood pressure. Older studies suggested that when lying down, blood pressure may be higher. However, more recent research suggests that lying down may lower blood pressure compared to sitting.

The American Heart Association currently advises taking blood pressure readings while seated. You might, however, occasionally have your blood pressure tested while standing or while you are lying down.

Medical professionals advise taking your blood pressure measurements in the same posture every time for consistency.

Frequently asked questions

Does moving from one area to another affect my blood pressure?

In fact, shifting positions can cause your blood pressure to change. This frequently occurs, for instance, when you get up from lying down. Your blood pools in the lower part of your body as a result of this change in position, thus lowering your blood pressure. However, your body can react to these changes.

Nevertheless, there are several circumstances where it may take some time to adjust, including dehydration, low blood sugar, medications like antidepressants, a low heartbeat, and a slow heartbeat, which might make you feel dizzy and faint for a while.

Which position is ideal for taking my blood pressure?

While seated upright, taking your blood pressure is the best option. You must be seated upright with your back supported by the chair in order to get reliable readings. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground and that your arm, which is resting on a table or armrest, is at heart level.

What can I do to lower my blood pressure or control it?

Making lifestyle modifications can help many people with high blood pressure bring their levels into a healthy range or maintain them there. Consult your medical staff about it

• doing 150 minutes or more of exercise per week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
• avoid smoking
• maintaining a balanced diet and abstaining from alcohol and sodium (salt)
• maintaining a healthy weight.
• controlling stress

Why are blood pressure readings in mm Hg used?

The term “mm Hg” stands for millimeters of mercury. The first precise pressure gauges were made of mercury, which is still employed in medicine today as the accepted unit of pressure measurement.